• ECOWAS, Spain’s AECID sign €16 million cooperation deal
• Program targets rural development, gender equality, regional integration
• Agreement supports agriculture, energy, infrastructure under Vision 2050

ECOWAS and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) signed two memoranda of understanding on Monday, Feb. 23, under the 2025-2028 ECOWAS-AECID cooperation program.

ECOWAS AND SPAIN SEAL €16 MILLION PARTNERSHIP TO BOOST REGIONAL RESILIENCE, INCLUSION AND INTEGRATION IN WEST AFRICA
Abuja, Nigeria, 23 February 2026: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID)… pic.twitter.com/cMx08ywA8h

— Ecowas - Cedeao (@ecowas_cedeao) February 24, 2026

With a budget of 16 million euros (about $19 million), the partnership aims to strengthen member states’ resilience, promote inclusion, and accelerate regional integration in West Africa, ECOWAS said on X. The program will focus on rural development, gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls.

The agreement will also support priority sectors including agriculture and food security, energy access, infrastructure, and institutional strengthening, in line with ECOWAS Vision 2050.

A strategic partnership for resilience and inclusion

ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray described the initiative as the most significant cooperation agreement with a regional economic community in Africa, adding that it is based on shared interests rather than an aid-based approach.

The agreement comes as ECOWAS member states step up joint regional initiatives to strengthen economic and agricultural integration. Through its Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture, ECOWAS held a second round of regional meetings from Nov. 26 to Dec. 3, 2025, aimed at accelerating integration, promoting trade, boosting agricultural productivity, protecting the environment, improving food security, and supporting inclusive growth.

The sub-region continues to face political tensions following the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. At the same time, member states are seeking to diversify their economies, reduce reliance on raw materials, and boost intra-African trade.

Through these agreements, ECOWAS and AECID aim to strengthen institutional capacity and deliver tangible benefits to West African populations, particularly women and girls.

Lydie Mobio